The Qantas Newbie Questions Thread

[elanshin]

Yes economy. I always fly economy, I do not value premium/business/first class at all. Does this mean Qantas points are almost useless for me?

Not necessarily. Firstly thr classic rewards JQ flight is not a JQ flight with no bundles. I believe it includes checked luggage so factor that cost into the price.

Next you don't always get JQ flight prices at their cheapest point and thats when there's value or if you redeem to fly non JQ whether it's because of the route or JQ is just more expensive (yes ive seen JQ more expensive than QF it's dumb).

In your example then yes it's not worth redeeming for this price but there will be times and use cases where it can be useful.

 

[RichardMEL]

Time may be where JQ pricing is much higher and a CR seat may be available on say QF in economy where the points burn rate is attractive compared to the JQ cash price. That's where QFF points can potentially have some value (or even to get a reward seat on another full service carrier depending on the route).

 

[serfty]

For example, flying to Singapore, one Jetstar flight is $176 on the Jetstar website, but using points on the Qantas website, the same flight costs 25,000 points plus $136. 25,000 Qantas points should be worth far more than $40. Any way to use Qantas points to buy Jetstar flights without getting ripped off?

Currently a Qantas Award Melbourne to Singapore on Jetstar is 21,500 points and $136. (This includes some checked luggage.)

There is a Jetstar sale on which makes the revenue fare of $175 far better value. (I presume the $175 is a "Starter" fare, so you would need to add any luggage costs to that.)

 

[super5]

Not necessarily. Firstly thr classic rewards JQ flight is not a JQ flight with no bundles. I believe it includes checked luggage so factor that cost into the price.

Next you don't always get JQ flight prices at their cheapest point and thats when there's value

I didn't know that about the luggage. But adding on checked luggage should not be that expensive, and I probably will have no checked luggage.

So from what people are saying, using Qantas points to buy a Jetstar flight is only worth it, when Jetstar direct cash pricing is expensive. But I am someone that is flexible and willing to fly on dates when Jetstar is not expensive, meaning I will never be forced to buy a Jetstar ticket whenever it's expensive. Anyone know if Jetstar will one day allow Qantas points to be used to offset against the cheap direct cash prices, so we can "use points when Jetstar is cheap" instead of only "use points when Jetstar is expensive"?

 

[super5]

Currently a Qantas Award Melbourne to Singapore on Jetstar is 21,500 points and $136. (This includes some checked luggage.)

There is a Jetstar sale on which makes the revenue fare of $175 far better value. (I presume the $175 is a "Starter" fare, so you would need to add any luggage costs to that.)

Yes this is the example I was referring to. Who would spend 21,500 Qantas points, to save paying $40 cash to Jetstar directly for the same flight? (if no checked luggage)

Is 21,500 Qantas points = $40 plus the price of checked luggage?

 

[MooTime]

Yes this is the example I was referring to. Who would spend 21,500 Qantas points, to save paying $40 cash to Jetstar directly for the same flight? (if no checked luggage)

Is 21,500 Qantas points = $40 plus the price of checked luggage?

Clearly in your example your better of buying Jetstar cash ticket.
$175 to fly to SIN seems real bargain imo, yes is y cabin on Jetstar but still.

There'll be another time for you to use your QF points.

Throw any questions to this forum and you'll get great advice / assistance.

 

[Seat0B]

Yes economy. I always fly economy, I do not value premium/business/first class at all. Does this mean Qantas points are almost useless for me?

Well, in general if you want to fly economy on Jetstar without checked luggage and you are free to travel at times when Jetstar has sale fares available, then using QF points to pay is probably not going to be the best option for you.

You might find some value in using QF points for domestic flights - many routes like SYD-MEL, CBR-OOL, BNE-CBR etc can be obtained using 8000 points one way plus applicable taxes which were ~$65 for a business class CBR-BNE trip I did recently.

If this does not appeal, then you can use the QF points to buy gift cards to various businesses, to purchase wine from Qantas Wines, hotel nights from Qantas Hotels or lots of things in the on-line store.

Given your value proposition isn't really there for flights, maybe there are some fancy toasters that might take your fancy (gentle joke - welcome to the vibe!)

 

[Elnino]

Flying the above route and have a 4 hour layover in LAX. Got a couple of questions (I am WP):

1. Can I access the First Lounge in TBIT on arrival from QF11 before heading to my Domestic AA flight (I think it departs from T5)?
2. I have had conflicting info on whether my bags will be checked all the way through, can anyone clarify?

Cheers

 

[RichardMEL]

Flying the above route and have a 4 hour layover in LAX. Got a couple of questions (I am WP):

Not too sure what "above route" you're referring to, but I'll assume it's something like SYD-LAX-XYZ (domestic destination in USA on AA).

1. Can I access the First Lounge in TBIT on arrival from QF11 before heading to my Domestic AA flight (I think it departs from T5)?

Yes you can. As long as your AA boarding pass shows your QF Emerald Status (if the booking is on the same PNR then that will be issued by QF anyway, if separate bookings, should be on AA issued BP). Anyway yes you can. Airside connector means it's a 10min walk from the Flounge to T4, and another 5ish mins to T5 from there.

2. I have had conflicting info on whether my bags will be checked all the way through, can anyone clarify?

Yes if on the same booking then your bags will be tagged all the way through. HOWEVER, at LAX you need to clear immigration & customs, which in practice means picking up your bag(s), walking through customs and then replacing them on the "Connecting Flights" belts (up the ramp to the left after clearing customs, and then you can go back through security at TBIT to go to the Flounge. SO yes bags will be checked through, but you still need to collect.

If on separate bookings, then bags would be tagged to LAX and you'd need to check in with AA @ T4 in that case which is a short walk landside.

 

[Elnino]

Aaah cough not sure what happened there... thought I included the flights (yep it's SYD-LAX-BNA).

Great info thanks @RichardMEL. It's all on the same booking so I should be good to go (QF11 then QF4650)

Thanks

 

[elanshin]

Ive never really paid attention before, but are loyalty bonus instantly available upon achieving the 500 SC?

 

[DejaBrew]

Ive never really paid attention before, but are loyalty bonus instantly available upon achieving the 500 SC?

As I recall, pretty much, yes.

 

[TheDefenestrator]

As I recall, pretty much, yes.

Can confirm, I recently reached the 500 SC loyalty milestone on a QFi flight and could pick the bonus SCs pretty much at the first opportunity that mobile data started working after landing.
The 50 bonus SCs didn’t take long to arrive either.

 

[RichardMEL]

Yes. Pretty much straight away.

A reminder that one has 90 days to select which option they want. IF that 90 day window extends into the next membership year, that may be useful for some for the SCs as they count to the membership year when redeemed (unlike other bonus Offers).

 

[Keku]

This thread is specifically for new members to ask questions relating to Qantas and the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. Our more experienced members will be then be able to answer your questions.

Please note that this thread is specifically for new and/or inexperienced members, so please keep this in mind when replying to posts in this thread. In particular, please minimise the use of acronyms and explain the concepts in a way that a novice can easily understand. And please be gentle

Hi all,

I’m a long time visitor to these forums, but a first time poster and ex-industry. It’s been a while since I’ve taken to the skies post-COVID, but am flying BNE-PER business class with QF later this week on the good ol’ 737.

I’ve searched far and wide for recent flight reviews, or further information on the latest inflight product offering, but details are scant. Is anyone able to share a little more about what the current inflight experience is like? Is it a single tray meal service? Are pre-meal drinks offered? A pre-departure drink? Pillows and blankets? Thanks in advance!

PS- will happily share my experience here post-flight

 

[exceladdict]

Hi all,

I’m a long time visitor to these forums, but a first time poster! It’s been a while since I’ve taken to the skies post-COVID, but am flying BNE-PER with QF later this week on the good ol’ 737.

I’ve searched far and wide for recent flight reviews, or further information on the latest inflight product offering, but details are scant. Is anyone able to share a little more about what the current inflight experience is like? Is it a single tray meal service? Are pre-meal drinks offered? A pre-departure drink? Pillows and blankets? Thanks in advance!

PS- will happily share my experience here post-flight

J or Y?

PER-BNE in J last week was pretty good. Quite a big meal, incl a nice pesto pasta salad, in addition to the mains, bread and block of chocolate. FA excellent. Pre departure, a 2yo travelling in our group (though in Y) was given some roodolph pyjamas at the lounge.

 

[Keku]

J or Y?

PER-BNE in J last week was pretty good. Quite a big meal, incl a nice pesto pasta salad, in addition to the mains, bread and block of chocolate. FA excellent. Pre departure, a 2yo travelling in our group (though in Y) was given some roodolph pyjamas at the lounge.

Sorry, J! Can’t believe I didn’t mention that very important detail. Thanks for the reply. I realise there’s only so much they can do on the 737!

 

[exceladdict]

Sorry, J! Can’t believe I didn’t mention that very important detail. Thanks for the reply. I realise there’s only so much they can do on the 737!

I think there were pillows in one of the overhead cabins, if I recall correctly. Being a morning flight, didn't need to request one.

 

[Daver6]

Hi all,

I’m a long time visitor to these forums, but a first time poster and ex-industry. It’s been a while since I’ve taken to the skies post-COVID, but am flying BNE-PER business class with QF later this week on the good ol’ 737.

I’ve searched far and wide for recent flight reviews, or further information on the latest inflight product offering, but details are scant. Is anyone able to share a little more about what the current inflight experience is like? Is it a single tray meal service? Are pre-meal drinks offered? A pre-departure drink? Pillows and blankets? Thanks in advance!

PS- will happily share my experience here post-flight

Have a look at the more recent posts in this thread for F&B info Qantas Business Class meals & menus

 

[Keku]

Have a look at the more recent posts in this thread for F&B info Qantas Business Class meals & menus

Thanks for the tip- found some good info there